The wait is over, and the action has begun as the 2025 Inter-Secondary Schools Sports (ISSA)/TIP Friendly Society high schoolgirl football season got underway on Tuesday, with defending champions Excelsior and the promising Tivoli Gardens making statements with their opening-day victories.

Playing at the Excelsior High School Football Field, the defending champions came from behind to beat Merl Grove High 2-1 in the feature game of the double-header, while Tivoli Gardens blanked Meadowbrook High 5-0 in the opening game.

Olivia Ashbourne gave Merl Grove the lead in the 43rd minute but two in stoppage time from Yasheska Lewis (80+1 and 80+7 minutes) gave the defending champions all three points.

The competition, which promises to be an exciting and closely contested one, has received a significant boost from TIP Friendly Society, which donated $6 million to support the event.

Keith Wellington, president of ISSA, expressed his gratitude to TIP Friendly Society, acknowledging its invaluable contribution to the development of young female athletes.

“It is a pleasure for me to be here for the start of another high schoolgirl football season. I know that it is one that is highly anticipated, and I look forward to this year’s competition,” Wellington said during the opening ceremony.

Wellington also took the opportunity to thank TIP Friendly Society for its unwavering support.

“We must acknowledge our sponsor, TIP Friendly Society, who continue to offer their support not just to the girls who are participating in this competition but the entire school community,” he said.

“We want to thank you, TIP Friendly Society, for your support, and we know that the entire school community, particularly the girls playing in this competition, is appreciative of the support you continue to offer,” he added.

Wilton South, chief executive officer of TIP Friendly Society, reiterated his organisation’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of leaders.

“I want to say that TIP Friendly Society is really happy to be here because the girls seem to be a forgotten lot, but we are here. We have been supporting you for a number of years, and I know that many people around don’t know who TIP Friendly Society is,” South said.

South took the opportunity to introduce the TIP Friendly Society and the range of services it offers.

“We are an insuring company,” he explained. “We insure persons who worked in the educational section. We have savings, we have insurance, and we have loans. Basically, we are a financial institution.”

TIP Friendly Society’s commitment to education extends beyond sponsorship, as they offer a range of products tailored to the needs of students.

“We are also very interested in the children who are here right now because TIP has a product called the School Plan, which directly impacts every student that is here. I know that some of you have already known about the product, but we cover you 24/7, 365 days a year.”

As the season unfolds, Wellington reminded the participants, while only one team will claim the championship title, every player’s dedication, discipline, and passion for the sport makes them a winner.

“You ladies, as we go about the next few weeks to determine which school is the champion schoolgirl football team, I want to remind you that only one team will walk away with a trophy. However, every one of you, by your participation, your discipline, your commitment to the sport, is a winner,” he said.